Dystrophic calcinosis in a patient with overlap syndrome (scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis) treated by leflunomide: A case report

Dystrophic calcinosis occurs in chronically damaged tissue in patients with complicated autoimmune diseases. The therapeutic options are limited, and the treatment response rate is variable. Here, we describe a rare case of dystrophic calcinosis treated with leflunomide in a patient with overlap syndrome. A 53-year-old woman who was diagnosed with overlaps syndrome (systemic sclerosis [SSc] with rheumatoid arthritis [RA]), presented to our hospital with pain and swelling in both wrists, and underwent radiography, bone scan, and biopsy examination. This patient was diagnosed with dystrophic calcinosis in overlaps syndrome. The conventional disease-modifying drugs were not effective. Hence, leflunomide was administered. Simple radiography and bone scan showed resolved mass-like dystrophic calcinosis on both wrists of the patient after the use of leflunomide. The control of underlying disease is important in the treatment of dystrophic calcinosis. The use of leflunomide maybe an option in treatment of dystrophic calcinosis combined with RA.